Digestive Changes
We talk about change a lot on this platform – hormones, bowels, lifestyle changes and more! Today we will dive into a topic that brings these changes together, one that I am calling “digestive changes”. We will discuss the impact that hormonal fluctuations have on bowel movements, and the relation it has to other illnesses like gallbladder and heart diseases.
Females have hormones that are constantly changing. From puberty to post menopause, there are a lot of changes that occur as hormones fluctuate in the body. One of the influences of this cyclical change is the impact that happens on the digestive system. The counterbalance of estrogen and progesterone in the hormone cycle is the culprit for a lot of these digestive changes.
During the phases when estrogen is higher, digestion is increased, and poop tends to be softer. It is common during the beginning of a period to have softer poops, due to this increase in estrogen. Foods tend to be digested quicker as well, leading to less of that heavy feeling after eating.
On the opposite side of estrogen is progesterone, which has the opposite effect. During phases of higher progesterone digestion is slower. This is commonly the cause behind bloating and constipation during pregnancy and during the luteal, “PMS” phase before a period starts. This will often lead to feelings of heaviness, bloating, cramping, along with slower digestion.
The changing hormones not only impact bowel movements throughout the cycle but could also be why females tend to be six times more likely to experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome than men. IBS can begin at any stage of life, without a certain known cause. Some research suggests it is from physical or emotional stress, while other studies indicate food sensitivities or allergies may trigger the inflammation of the intestines.
Another common digestive issue that more females face than males is gallbladder disease. With one of the important risk factors being female, they are experienced two to three times more by females than males. Research is showing that the hormonal changes during pregnancy are likely the reason behind this higher risk. This is due to estrogen’s influence on cholesterol. As estrogen decreases with age and post-menopause, this causes an increase in the LDL cholesterol. When we’re talking about pelvic floor risks, increased pressure from recurring vomiting (often associated with gallbladder attacks) increases risk factors for the occurrence of prolapse and worsening incontinence symptoms.
Heart disease is also different between males and females in part due to hormonal differences. With the fluctuations, and higher levels of estrogen and progesterone in females, this increases a female's risk. Heart disease is known as the silent killer, with females over the age of 65 more likely than males to die of a heart attack. Outside of the “traditional” symptoms of chest tightness, left breast soreness, and tightness in the back and shoulder blades, there are other symptoms that are commonly experienced by females. Symptoms like unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling faint or dizzy, nausea, headache, choking sensation, and indigestion, are all more common in females experiencing a heart attack. As you can see by these common symptoms that can easily be mistaken as something else, it makes sense how females suffer in silence.
Estrogen and progesterone cycle and fluctuate throughout a female’s life. These two hormones influence a lot of different functions in the body. From digestive rates and bowel movements to increased risk of IBS, gall bladder disease, and heart disease, these two powerhouse hormones regulate a lot of body functions!
References:
https://www.nwhealth.edu/news/be-well-the-hormone-digestion-connection/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17103289/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17645-women--cardiovascular-disease
https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/info/hyperemesis-gravidadum-pelvic-floor-implications
https://itrphysicaltherapy.com/how-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy-may-impact-your-pelvic-floor/
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/11/12/1397
